Understanding HVAC Ratings before an Air Conditioner Replacement

04/30/2015

When it’s time for air conditioner replacement, the HVAC industry can feel like it’s full of acronyms and terms that may be a little confusing. However, if you want to get the most out of all the research you’re doing, you’ll want to acquaint yourself with some of the most common terms. Quite a few of the terms reference efficiency factors that can help you save money during the entire year. So whenever you have to think through an air conditioner replacement, be sure to refresh your memory on these terms.

What is EER?

The EER, or energy-efficiency ratio, measures how efficiently the air conditioner will run when the outdoor temperature is at a specific level. The higher the EER rating, the higher the efficiency, so when you’re in the market for air conditioner replacement be sure to look for higher ratings so you can take advantage of all the savings they can bring you.

ENERGY STAR® Certification

Most consumers know about ENERGY STAR certifications, but rarely is it truly defined. In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established ENERGY STAR to help consumers save money on their energy expenses and protect the environment by using more energy efficient products. ENERGY STAR certification is earned through rigorous third-party testing, and products must meet a defined number of requirements. So when it’s time for air conditioner replacement, make sure to look for the blue label with the ENERGY STAR logo on its packaging.

SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, usually referred to as SEER, measures the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. Again, the higher the rating a product gets, the higher the energy efficiency. That also means greater savings for you and less impact on the environment. SEER ratings can greatly depend on the age of your current air conditioner, ranging from as low as 8 on older products, to today’s range of 13-23.

The largest difference between EER and SEER is that SEER measures your air conditioner’s efficiency over an entire cooling season versus a single outdoor temperature like EER.

When you’re in the market for an air conditioner replacement, you’ll quickly realize that there are a lot more acronyms and terms than the three we’ve noted here, but these will give you a good understanding of a few common ones. To learn more about your air conditioner replacement choices or dig deeper in to the meaning of these terms, contact your local Albuquerque HVAC professionals at Desert Suns Heating & Cooling.

About Desert Suns Heating & Cooling

Lennox was founded to deliver some of the most dependable, reliable HVAC systems in the market while providing great service and quality for customers. Desert Suns Heating & Cooling in Albuquerque is no different, with our on-going devotion to your comfort and commitment to the community. We strive to be the greatest at what we do so you can always be comfortable, and know you can always depend on us. Give us a ring at 505-994-9176 or arrange an appointment with us so we can help you achieve complete home comfort.